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Take a Risk

Sometimes change is the best thing that can happen to you.

By Gina Marie AmbrogioPublished 5 years ago 6 min read
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We wake up, shower, go to work, come home eat dinner, pay our bills, (if we aren’t too tired we work out) and go to bed. Repeat the next day, and the next day until it becomes automatic, practically mechanical. There’s hardly anytime to do the things we enjoy anymore because there’s so much stress about the bills or you are working long hours and are just plain tired. We get so used to having to do the same thing daily that we fall into a rut and eventually become unhappy with our lives. You’ve been there, I’ve been there. It’s not fun. I was in that rut about two years ago. My husband and I were living in New York and working long hours, sometimes two jobs at once and we were miserable. It was a routine, we got up went to work cane home and went to bed. We both knew this was not living and we needed a change we were just scared to take the leap. Actually, correction - I was scared to take the leap. His idea was to move to Florida. Neither of us had been since we were kids who visited Disney so this would be a big change for us. His mom and sister had just moved down there a year ago and it sparked his curiosity of what life would be like. I, on the other hand, hadn’t dreamed of leaving New York. This was my home. My whole family was here and the idea of living nearly 1,000 miles away gave me anxiety. We had a house already, good jobs, a dog and tons of friends. I thought life was pretty good. It took about 4 months before I started to consider moving. Work was getting more demanding, it was cold and the snow would soon follow, going out with friends came to a lull and the bills just increased. I was at my wits end after a rough day and skidding on black ice when I cracked and told my husband let’s do it! Let’s move! At first he didn’t take me seriously, but the more we talked about it the more I realized maybe it’s what we both needed. That was February of 2016. That July we put the house for sale and by October it sold. It was happening I was moving to Florida. I watched as the real estate agent put the sold sign up in front of our house and all I could think was well we can’t back out now. We had a month before we needed to be out of the house for the new owners. We hosted a farewell party at our house the weekend before we moved. We had 30 of our friends show up for a wonderful night filled with laughs, pictures, stories...and goodbyes. The day we were moving my mom and sister spent the afternoon at our house. We did a few last minute things, ate lunch at my favorite restaurant and took tons of pictures. Our train to the airport was supposed to arrive at 6 PM. We got to the train station which was down the road from our house at 5:30 PM and just took in the last view of our neighborhood one last time. The train pulled in at 6 on the dot and I hugged my mom and sister as tight as I could when I said goodbye. We all cried and with tears in my eyes off we went to the airport. We were on the train for 45 minutes, making stops at different stations, picking up groups of different people. I observed them as they each boarded the train. Each group was out having a great night with their friends and significant others laughing and enjoying themselves while I sat there thinking how my life was going to change drastically. We finally arrived at the airport and the nerves started setting in. Were we making a mistake? What if we don’t find jobs? What if we don’t like Florida? Will we be happier? What if what if what if! I grabbed some Dunkin’ Donuts ice coffee and calmed myself down at the gate. I started to change my though process from worrying to thinking of all the possibilities. My husband and I boarded the plane took some selfies and told ourselves there was no going back. As we took off, I saw New York City from my window seat. I watched as all the colors of the city lights danced acrosss the ocean surrounding it. And then the lights gradually became smaller and smaller intil outside faded to black. I thought goodbye home and I silently cried in my seat.

Fast forward two years and I have to say moving was the best decision we made. We have a house, good jobs, a multitude of new friends, got a second dog and we enjoy life more than we ever had before. Every weekend we are out snorkeling or kayaking or at Disney or doing something. Even just going out for lunch has been exciting. Instead of sitting in a diner on a busy road we are now sitting at a tiki hut overlooking the ocean. We still are getting up, going to work, paying our bills etc. but it’s different down here. The lifestyle is way more laidback, there’s so much to do and there just seems to be more time to enjoy life. We are much healthier too. I can’t tell you how many times in New York where we felt ill or rundown from life. In Florida we work just as hard, but we also have more opportunity to get out and enjoy the little things in life. My mom and sister even come visit me every chance they get. They can’t get enough of Florida and are thinking of taking the risk and moving down here as well. My husband and I are different here. It’s as if weight has been lifted off our shoulders, we aren’t as stressed out and we definitely laugh more. I can honestly say our only regret is not taking the leap years sooner and I feel foolish for crying over it.

Life is about the chances you take and the memories you can make. I’m not saying you need to move to another state to find your happiness, I’m telling you to take the risk. Whatever it may be, do it. Whether it is a move, a job, a relationship, a trip, a hobby anything—go for it! Do something to change your life and make yourself happy. Get that fulfillment it’s so important! What do you have to lose? There is a world of opportunity waiting for you and life is too short. I know you have heard that a million times, but let me tell you from my experiences it’s true. Life is too short and I’m so glad I woke up and started taking advantage of it. It’s your turn.

happiness
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